Chiefs scoreless streak reaches 32+ innings in 1-0 loss to Beloit

PEORIA -- The second-place Peoria Chiefs have given the Midwest League a run for its money so far in the 2014 season.

Now they'd just like to have a run back. Soon.

The Chiefs set a franchise-record Monday with a 1-0 loss to the Beloit Snappers before 1,550 at Dozer Park.

Peoria extended its scoreless innings streak to 32 1/3 innings to set a record as the longest such drought in the team's history. The Chiefs third straight shutout matched the team's record for consecutive shutouts set in late May of 1990.

And still, they left the ballpark in second place and with the knowledge their pitching remains strong, this time a solid outing from starter Alex Reyes and a two-inning, scoreless relief appearance from Jhonny Polanco.

"Reyes got through six innings and he showed three plus-pitches tonight, and that's just HUGE," Chiefs manager Joe Kruzel said. "Polanco gave us a scoreless outing. There were a lot of good things that happened for us in this game.

"Somewhere along the course of the season you're going to run into stretches like this. You look out there and it seems like there's 16 guys out on the field against you.

"We haven't scored in three games, yes. But we've also only allowed six runs in those three games. A few days ago we scored 14 runs. It's not the end of the world for us."

They are free to go now, exiting the team's record book. Those '88 Chiefs bounced back to go 41-30 in the second half of the season. Only Wilkins and pitcher Frank Castillo made it to the majors from that team.

"We haven't collectively, as a team, hit very well lately," said Chiefs second baseman Mason Katz, who had one of Peoria's four hits. "It's the nature of the game, streaks like these. Our pitchers have been unbelievable for us, we're just not scoring for those guys. Alex Reyes deserved an easy win tonight."

Beloit got the lone run in the fifth when Luis Baez singled, headed to second on a passed ball, took third on a wild pitch, and scored on Sam Roberts' single through the box.

It was enough for starter Dylan Covey, scattered three hits over eight innings to beat Peoria for the second time in a week.

"We're going to score again, I promise," Chiefs catcher Carson Kelly said. "If we go another 100 games without a run, we'll probably end up on ESPN."

Said Katz, sitting nearby: "Or we''ll end up, well, not here."

CHIEFS BRIEFS: The Morton Junior High School choir, which included Elle Rogers, 11, the daughter of Peoria Rivermen co-owner Bart Rogers, delivered an excellent national anthem before the game.

Dave Eminian covers the Chiefs and Rivermen for the Journal Star. Reach him at 686-3206 or deminian@pjstar.com. Check out his sports blog, Cleve's World, at pjstar.com and follow him on Twitter @icetimecleve.